Towards serving and being missionaries of the Church

Nov 30, 2018

By Aaron Lim
Thirteen children from City Parish received their First Holy Communion on Mission Sunday.

The community witnessed this historic occasion at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows with newly-appointed parish priest Msgr Aloysius Tan as the celebrant. Msgr Tan began his homily by rephrasing the famous quote of John F. Kennedy, as he urged parishioners to “ask not what the Church can do for you, but ask what you can do for the Church.”

He said the readings showed that Jesus is offering a package of servant leadership for all to follow by giving up his life and sympathising with the sufferings of others.

“It is difficult to be good servants today because the world offers different things, but Jesus has made it clear that if we want to be leaders, we must serve faithfully,” he said.

Referring to the theme of Mission Sunday, Msgr Tan invited all to view serving and being missionaries of the Church as a privilege given to God’s children and to take responsibility by being witnesses of Christ and spreading the Good News.

“Through baptism, we are called to be evangelisers to everyone. Let people see Jesus in you by being missionaries in your school, workplace or neighbourhood because, when we are different, people will notice us and will be drawn to our faith,” he said.

He also asked for all to support and contribute towards the mission work of the Church and to spend some personal time reflecting on how to be involved in Jesus’ mission entrusted to us.

Msgr Tan then reminded the children that Jesus is within and closer to them through Holy Communion and urged them to be committed towards a life of discipleship.

Parishioners were inspired by the thanksgiving dance performance by the children. Certificates were presented by Msgr Tan who also expressed his thanks to the catechists who had journeyed with the children.